Electric battery.



Nn. 720,592. TATTNTTD PERT?, 19o-a'.

M. M. KOEN. ELECTRIC BATTERY.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 31', 1896l no u'oDnL.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

MILTON M. KOHN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC BATTERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,592, dated February17, 1903.

i Application tiled .l'uly 3l, 1895. Serial No. 557,661. (No model.)

a vertical section showing the preferred formof cell. Fig. 5 is avertical section of the negative element and the depolarizer. Fig. 6 isa cross-section on line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig.

7 is a perspective view of one of the sections of the depolarizer. Fig.8 is a vertical section of the cap which closes the cell. Fig. 9 is aplan view of the same. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of thedepolarizer-disks. Fig. 11 is a vertical section of the negativeelement, showing a modified arrangement of the depolarizer; and Fig. 12is a cross-section on line 12 12 of Fig. 11. v

My invention relates to electric batteries, and particularly to thatclass commonly known as dry batteries.

It has for its object to provide certain improvements in dry batteries,by which a batterywillbe produced having greater efficiency than anycommercial cell heretofore produced, which may be more convenientlyhandled, which will be longer lived, and which will have various otheradvantages, as will be hereinafter set forth. Y

That which l regard as new will be set forth in the claims.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, my improved battery, broadly considered,comprises a retain- Y ing vessel 13, of metal or some other goodconductor of electricity, a positive element 14 in contact with theinterior surface ofthe retaining vessel, a negative element 15 withinthe retaining vessel, a depolarizer 16 around said negative element, anda suitable excitant or electrolyte. The retaining vessel 13 ispreferablyrcylindrical in form and is open at one end. If desired, itmay be formed of a piece of tubing having a cap 17 secured at one end byscrewing or otherwise, or itmay be formed izers, both in solid andliquid form, may, however, be used. An ordinary stopper 19 is insertedin the upper end of the retaining vessel, such stopper being of suitableinsulating material. The upper end of the carbon is preferablycopper-plated to` increase its conductivity, and over its upper end issoldered a cap 20, said cap being in contact with the carbon and servingas a means through which electrical contact may be made with the carbon.It will thus be seen that the positivev element, preferably zinc,is incontact with the outer or retaining shell throughout its entire surfaceand that electricalconnection with such positive element may be made bycontact with the retaining vessel, thus avoiding the use ofbinding-screws and other similar devices heretofore commonly used.Another important advantage` of this construction is that the life ofthe battery is greatly increased over the life of the dry batteriesheretofore commonly used, in that in such batteries heretofore used thepositive element has itself served as the retaining vessel, and as aftera short time the excitant would eat through the cell -the usefulness ofthe battery would be destroyed before the mass of the zinc would beconsumed. In my improved cell,however,the zinc being inclosed in aretaining vessel the battery is not unfitted for use until practicallyall the zinc has been consumed. It will be understood that `theretaining vessel must be of such material asn will not be chemicallyacted upon readily by the excitant used. The Vessel13 is preferably ofbrass, the positive lining 14 being of zinc. The preferred electrolytedepends on the negative element employed. lf the negative element isoxid of copper, a solution of caustic soda or potash will be employed asthe electrolyte. If the negativeelement consists of carbon or peroxid ofmanganese, salammoniac solu tion will be used as the electrolyte.

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With the negative element composed of a silver compound, chlorid of zincsolution will constitute the electrolyte.

While the form of cell shown in Fig. 1 is one of the simplest, embodyingthat part of my invention which is above described, I prefer tomanufacture cells having the construction shown in Fig. 4, which differsfrom the other in that the negative element is of superior constructionand the cell is hermetically sealed and provided with a valve forrelieving the pressure in the cell when it is desired to open it, aswill be hereinafter described.

Referring to the form shown in Fig. 4, a retaining vessel 18 is usedsimilar to that shown in Fig. 3. Within the retaining vessel 18 is thepositive element 14, of zinc, substantially as shown in Fig. 1. As shownin Fig. 4, the retaining vessel projects a short distance beyond thepositive element 14 and is screw-threaded at its upper end. Within theupper end of the retaining vessel, in1mediately above the positiveelement, is an insulating-disk 21, fitting snugly into the upper portionof the retaining vessel. Above the insulating-disk 2l. is a rubber disk22, which lits tightly into the retaining vessel. Above the rubber diskis screwed a cap 23, which screws down into and closes the upper end ofthe retaining vessel.

24 indicates a valve and connector, having a stem 25, which passesthrough the insulatingdisk 21, the rubber disk 22, and the cap 23.

26 27 indicate passages in the valve 24, extending from the interior ofthe cell to the exterior thereof.

28 indicates a screw or plug which fits into the upper end of the stem25, closing the passage 2G.

2t) indicates a cap which is fitted upon the upper end of the stem 25,which is screwthreaded, so that the cap may be screwed down tightlythereupon.

The valve 24 is of suitable conducting inaterial and serves as aconductor of the current from the negative element to the cap 29.

The stem 25 and cap 29 are insulated from the cap 23 by aninsulating-ring 30 and an insulating-Washer 3l.

32 indicates a nut which rests upon the washer 31 immediately under thecap 29. The nut 32 screws upon the stem 25, thereby serving to draw upthe valve, causing its lower broad portion to expand the rubber disk 22laterally as it is compressed between the valve and the cap 23. A tightclosure of the cell is thereby effected.

The object of the valve 24 is to permit of the discharge of the gaswhich is formed by the action of the battery within the cell. Af-

ter the battery has been working for a short time it causes considerablepressure within the cell, and in order that the cap 23 may be safelyremoved it is necessary that the pressure should be relieved, which maybe done by removing the cap 29 and screw 28.

33 indicates a rod the upper end of which is secured to the valve 24,preferably by being soldered in a suitable recess therein. The rod 33 isof suitable conducting material and has mounted upon it a series ofcarbon disks 34 and depolariZer-disks 35, arranged alternately, as shownin Fig. 4.

36 indicates an insulating-disk arranged at the lower end of the rod forsupporting the various disks 34 35, and 37 indicates a nut, also ofinsulating material, which is screwed upon the lower end of the rod 33.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 10, depolariZer-disks 35 are countersunkwithin their peripheries at opposite sides, the carbon disks 34 restingin the recesses formed. By this construction a much larger proportionatearea of depolarizing material is secured, thereby greatly increasing theefficiency of the battery. Furthermore, the thickness of thedepolarizing material in a direct line between the carbon disks and thepositive element is much less than in any construction heretofore usedproviding the same proportionate area of depolarizcr, the result beingthat the resistance to the passage of the current to the carbon disks isdiminished, further increasing the efficiency of the battery.

The metallic rod 33 serves not only as a support for the carbon anddepolarizer disks, but also strengthens the negative element, which isan advantage.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 I have illustrated another form of negative elementwhich may be used in my improved cell instead of that last described,although it is not as eflicient as the other. In this form instead ofusing carbon and depolarizer disks a central carbon rod 38 is used,through which passes the metal rod 33. Around the carbon rod is adepolarizer consisting of two sections 39, of depolarizing material. Theends of the element are caps 40 41, which hold the parts in place, beingsecured by nuts 42 upon the rod 33.

In Figs. 11 and 12 a still further form of negative element is shown,such form consisting of a central carbon rod 43, around which is acylinder of depolarizing material 44, and inclosing the depolarizingmaterial is a casing 45, of paper or cloth, which is suflciently porousto prevent crystallization. The ends of the casing are secured bywrapping with twine 46 or other suitable material.

Although the forms of negative elements shown in Figs. 1, 5, and 11 arecapable of use in my improved battery, yet they are not as efficient anddo not contain many of the advantages derived from the constructionshown in Fig. 4, and therefore the latter construction is preferred.

That which I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is-

1. In an electric battery, the combination with a retaining vessel,positive and negative elements, and an excitant therein, of means forsealing said retaining vessel, a valve 24 having passages 27 and athreaded passage 26 IIO communicating with the passages 27 and with theatmosphere, and a threaded plug fitted in the upper end of said threadedpassage,

.substantially as described, and for the pur- Ass pose specified.

2. In an electric battery, the combination with a metallicretaining'vessel, positive and negative elements, one of said elementsbeing in contact With said retaining vessel but independent thereof, andan excitant, of means for sealing said retaining vessel to prevent theescape of gas, and a valve for the discharge of the gases generated bythe action of the battery, said valve being a conductor and connected tothe negative element, substantially as described.

3. In an electric battery, the combination with a retaining vessel,positive and negative elements, and an excitant therein, of a cap 23,packing under said cap, valve 24, Which is also a conductor, passingthrough said cap, and connected to one ofthe battery elements, a passagethrough said valve, and means for closing said passage, substantially asdescribed.

4i. In an electric battery, the combination with a retaining vessel,positive and negative elements, and an excitant therein, of means forsealing said retaining vessel, a valve 24 connected to the negativeelement and having passages 26 27, said valve being a conductor, and aplug for closing said passages to prevent the escape of gas,substantially as described. 'i

5. The combination with a cell,.p'ositive and negative elements and anexcitant therein, a valve which is also a conductor arranged in one endof said cell and connected to one of the battery elements, a packingdisposed about said valve within the cell, and means for expanding thepacking to hold the valve in place and close the cell, substantially asdescribed.

G. The combination With a cell, positive and negative elements, and anexcitant therein, of packing for closing said cell, a cap above saidpacking, a valve which is'also a conductor extending through saidpacking and connected to the negative element, said valve having ashoulder, and means for compressing the packing between the shoulderedportion of the valve-body and said cap, whereby the packing may beexpanded, substantially as described. l

7. In an electric battery, the combination with a retaining vesselhaving positive and negative elements, and an excitant therein, of avalve 24 having a screw-threaded stem 25, a passage 26 therein, meansfor closing said passage, a nut 32 screwed upon said stem,

a cap 23 fitted into the retaining vessel, and packing between saidvalve and said cap, substantially as described.

8. A negative elementfor electric batteries, consisting of a series ofelectrically-negative disks and disks of depolarizing material arrangedalternately, the electrically-negative disks being entirely inclosed inthe disks of depolarizing material and means for supporting said disks,substantially as described.

9. A negative element for electric batteries consistingof a series ofelectrically-negative disks and disks of depolarizing material `arrangedalternately and in contact With one another, the electrically-negativedisks being entirely inclosed in the disks of depolarizing material andmeans for supporting said disks, substantially as described.

lO. The combination, in a negative electrode, of a series ofelectronegative disks and disks of depolarizing material, theelectronegative disks being entirelyinclosed in the disks ofdepolarizing material and a rod extending through and supporting saiddisks, substantially as described.

1l. As an article ofmanufacture, a disk of depolarizing materialcountersunk Within its periphery, substantially as described.

12. As an article of manufacture, a disk of depolarizing materialcountersunk Within its periphery upon its opposite sides, substantiallyas described.

I3. A negative element for electric batteries, consisting of a series ofdisks of depolarizing material countersunk Within their peripheries upontheir opposite sides and superimposed one upon another, andelectrically-negative disks seated in said countersunk disks,substantially as described.

14. In an electric battery, the combination 4rco with a cell, positiveand negative elements, and an excitant therein, of means forhermetically sealing said cell, and a valve connected to one of theelements of the battery for permitting the escape of gas from said cell,

said valve being a conductor substantially as described.

l5. In an electric battery, the combination with a metallic cell,positive and negative elements therein, one of said elements being inIrc,`

contact With said cell, and an excitant in said cellof means forhermetic'ally sealing said cell, and a metallic valve for the escapey ofgas therefrom, said valve forming one of the Vpoles of the battery,substantiallyfas dcscribed.

VMILTON M. KOHN. W'itnesses:

JOHN L. JACKSON, A. II. ADAMS.

